PLA troops in Shenzhen were preparing to move into Hong Kong yesterday as China's 100-strong delegation to the handover ceremony began arriving in the city.
Traffic in the city centre was halted for about 30 minutes in the morning to make way for a fleet of limousines understood to be carrying middle-ranking officials.
Tight security has been imposed at leading state-level guesthouses, and Ministry of State Security officers were in position on main roads.
Visitors were moved from the entrance of Shenzhen Kylin Villa, where President Jiang Zemin and Prime Minister Li Peng were expected to stay.
A Shenzhen municipal government spokesmen refused to give details of the senior leaders' arrival plans and reception arrangements.
At the PLA barracks, officers appeared to be rehearsing for their arrival in Hong Kong. At the Fuquiang Road barracks in western Shenzhen, naval and army officers were seen in parade drills.
